Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease. It is the oldest form of medicine known and is traditionally used throughout the world. The general public, and even scientists, are now recognising its value and gradually returning it to a central role in health care. Herbal practitioners are trained in the same diagnostic skills as orthodox doctors, but take a more holistic approach to health.
The underlying cause of the problem is sought, and, once identified, it is this which is treated, rather than the symptoms alone. Since treatment or suppression of symptoms will not rid the body of the illness itself, herbal practitioners use their remedies to restore the balance of the body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers.
Rather than extracting or synthesising a single constituent of a plant, herbalists believe that the active constituents are balanced within the plant and are made more (or less) powerful by the numerous other substances present in the whole plant. Herbal remedies are extracts from a part of the whole plant - leaves, roots, berries etc.
The first consultation will take at least one hour. Notes will be taken on the patient's medical history and a picture of the person as a whole built up. Healing is a matter of teamwork with patient, practitioner and the prescribed treatment all working together to restore the body to health. Treatment will include advice about diet and lifestyle as well as herbal medicine. The second appointment will normally be two weeks later, subsequent ones occurring monthly, depending on the patient and the illness concerned. Herbal medicine can treat almost any condition that patients might take to a doctor. Common complaints include skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. Digestive disorders such as colitis and IBS, gynaecological disorders like PMT, period pain, menopausal problems, polycystic ovaries, also conditions such as arthritis, migraine, high blood pressure, headaches, tonsillitis and allergic responses like hayfever and asthma.
Qualified herbalists will advise when a condition is best seen by a doctor or another practitioner.
For further Information & advice Please contact Dacrelands Clinic during working hours.